Protective mask used in tanks. The tank crews used many purpose built and adapted items of head gear to protect themselves from splinters of hot metal becoming detached from the tank by shells. It is made of steel reinforced leather and fine chain mail, with slits for the eyes.

Wire Cutters used for removing barbed wire usually in trench warfare, this design was identical to that used during WW1. During WW2 trench warfare was not so common, but soldiers were still issued with them, just in case.

Wire Cutters used for removing barbed wire usually in trench warfare, this design was identical to that used during WW1.
During WW2 trench warfare was not so common, but soldiers were still issued with them, just in case.

Soldiers Trenching Spade and Helve (handle) with pocket for his Webbing Gear.
The Helve has an attachment on it for a No4 Mk2 Spike Bayonet that was normally used on the No4 Lee Enfield Rifle during WW2 and after. Turning the tool into a weapon or Mine prodder.

A copy of the original Clicking 'Crickets' which were used by the Americans during the Normandy Landings,(D Day) as a means of identifying themselves if separated from their Company, especially in the dark.

These were reproduced and sold in France as a memento to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the D Day Landings.

Tool used by N.C.O's for inspecting soldiers Rifle Barrels after cleaning, it has a small mirror inside a gap at one end of the tube, and the other end is put down the breech or muzzle of the gun, providing there is enough light around, the viewer can see the condition of the inside of the barrel.

A simplified version of the 1895 Knapsack. It was made in grey canvas and accommodated reserve rations and a change of clothing.
On the top are leather straps for fixing the 1892 tent section which would be rolled round the edge of the pack. On the flap are more straps for holding a mess tin.
Only the back of the sack is covered with cow hide, earlier packs had both sides covered the front and the back, economies during the end of the war meant the loss of one side, at least the soldiers back would be kept warm, unlike the British who did not seem so concerned about a soldiers comfort.

Each of six pouches in two sets of three holds four five round clips of 7.92mm cartridges, a total of 120 rounds.
The weight is held even by means of a ring at the rear of each triple pouch, hooking onto the Knapsack brace belt. See Item A0369

Part of an earlier equipment system used before WW1, and not part of the 1908 web set.
Left over from a 1903 pattern and could have been used during WW1 to boost volume.
The water bottle has a Khaki Felt cover over a blue Enamelled container. The water bottle is the original WW1 pattern but is of post war manufacture, hence its condition. As for the sling this is a modern copy, with a date of 1905.
See Item A0994

Worn by front line troops who often encountered barbed wire in the advance.

Using these tools under fire would have been sheer suicide, crouching with no means of defence trying to cut your way through many yards of thick barbed wire was not an ideal situation for a method of attack.

Help was at hand when the first Tanks were used to cut through the barbed wire.

Part of the standard equipment issued during WW1.
All soldiers were expected and trained to dig trenches using this tool. Using a mattock which is similar to this tool is much easier than a spade especially in hard ground

Fitted to a Short Magazine Lee Enfield Rifle, the operator would lung forward onto a fence or wire that is reasonably secured, and lift the rifle upwards, the jaws of the cutter would close cutting the wire.

This would only be successful if the wire was taut or fixed in some way, as the unit will not work if the wire is allowed to move upwards.

Invented by the Germans before WW2 who called it the 'Wehrmachtskanister'.
Also known as a Journey Can, J.E.R.I. (Journey Extension Refillable Item).

The design was copied around the world and picked up by the British and Americans during WW2 because of its superior design.

Called a Jerrycan because the idea was copied from cans stolen from the Germans (Jerrys). It had an efficient spout and sides that could expand and contract under different conditions, with three handles so it could handled fast and efficiently.
Holding 20 Litres of fuel or water as the insides were lined with plastic.

Sending batteries across the Atlantic Ocean from the USA meant that during storage if acid was present deterioration would occur, putting them in this tin solved the problem.
Acid was supplied separately and put into the units with a hypodermic needle, after the can had been opened.

Silk maps were one of the most ingenious ideas of the Second World War. During WWII, thousands of maps were produced by the British on silk, thin cloth and tissue paper.

A serviceman captured or shot down in enemy territory should have the map to help avoid capture or find his way to safety.
Silk maps were issued specially to airmen so that they could sew them into their clothes or wear them around their neck. They could also be concealed in a cigarette packet or in the hollowed-out heal of a boot and, being made of silk, they would not make a rustling sound if the captive was searched.

Producing the maps was a process shrouded in secrecy and it is not possible to know how many maps were made or whether they were used. However, one can assume that they were invaluable as during the course of the war over 35,000 imprisoned men did manage to escape across enemy lines into Allied territory.

Soldiers Slang for it was 'Seldom Rarely Delivered' 'Soldiers Run Dry' 'Soon Runs Out' 'Seldom Reaches Destination'. One thing is certain, soldiers during the First War did get a rum ration usually before ''going over the top''.

Introduced in the winter of 1914 as a remedy for the cold, or to give some ''Dutch courage'' before fighting, it is strange that this was done, as it certainly would not help with the cold or bad weather conditions, and given the amount in the ration, it would take more than the whole bottle to get any man willing to face the German machine gunners.
The handle on this Jar has probably been added at a later date.

Developed by prisoners in German camps during World War 2, and used whilst being evacuated from occupied territories after the Normandy landings.

To produce enough heat to boil water the prisoners used tea from their Red Cross parcels, and dried twigs or other material, ignited in the empty clay lined Klim milk tin. Inside the tin with the handle is a crude fan; turning the handle forced air onto the flame exactly like a Blacksmiths Forge.

Lt. Jozef Kozacki, designed the first practical electronic mine-detector called the Mine Detector Polish Mark 1.
It was soon mass-produced and 500 were issued to the British Army in time for use prior to the Battle of El Alamein in October, 1942.